IllustrationCAR WHINES WITH ACCELERATION AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE IF GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED MORE IN 1" OR SO DOWN. WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED FOR ANY NEEDED ACCELERATION THE CAR WILL WHINE REALLY LOUD, RPM'S SHOOT UP, BUT ACCELERATION STAYS THE SAME!
2008 Nissan Altima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Altima years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1010–25K
11425–50K
16050–75K
11975–100K
139100–150K
52150K+
685 reports with mileage · 343 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 312 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 168 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
53 crash reports13 fire reports26 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,028 reportsTHE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT …
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THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A FULL REFUND FROM NISSAN AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN 2008. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN HELPING ME ACCOMPLISH IT.
DASH PAD, WHICH ALSO COVERS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOW CRACKED, AND IS STICKY. I KNOW THAT NISSAN SETTLED WITH FLORIDA RESIDENTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, OTHER CARS ARE AFFECTED. IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS, WE HAVE JUST AS MUCH, IF NOT MORE HEAT THAT SEEMS TO BE CAUSING FAILURE OF THE DASH COVER. WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CA…
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DASH PAD, WHICH ALSO COVERS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOW CRACKED, AND IS STICKY. I KNOW THAT NISSAN SETTLED WITH FLORIDA RESIDENTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, OTHER CARS ARE AFFECTED. IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS, WE HAVE JUST AS MUCH, IF NOT MORE HEAT THAT SEEMS TO BE CAUSING FAILURE OF THE DASH COVER. WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, AS SINCE IT IS CRACKED AND STICKY, WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE WILL BE PROPERLY PROTECTED WITH THE AIR BAG SHOULD WE HAVE A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, NOT JUST COSMETIC, AND ALL CARS SHOULD BE INCLUDED, NOT JUST FLORIDA. PLEASE REVIEW THIS ISSUE, AND GET ALL OF US COVERED.
THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DE…
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THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A REFUND AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN 2008.
I HAVE A ALTIMA COUPE THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG AIRBAG SENSOR. I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND IT COMES IN AND OUT RANDOMLY EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE CAR IS AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SHOP TO BE INSPECTED AND DETERMINE CAUSE.
THE DASH ON MY ALTIMA IS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IF ANY LIGHT SHINES ON IT, THERE IS A HORRIBLE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD TO WHERE I CANNOT SEE. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE SHINY STICKY MESS CAUSES A HUGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL! I LOVE MY VEHICLE, BUT IT IS TERRIBLE THAT I HAVE TO PUT A CARPET DASHBOARD COVER ON IT TO BE ABLE TO SEE.
MY NISSAN ALTIMA'S DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE ENTIRE DASH IS MELTING LEAVING A BRIGHT STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT WILL NOT COME OFF WHEN I TRY TO CLEAN IT. THIS IS NOT JUST A COSMETIC ISSUE. THE MELTING DASH LEAVES A MASSIVE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING TOWARD ANY SUNLIGHT. I AM BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION EVERY TIME THE SUN I…
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MY NISSAN ALTIMA'S DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE ENTIRE DASH IS MELTING LEAVING A BRIGHT STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT WILL NOT COME OFF WHEN I TRY TO CLEAN IT. THIS IS NOT JUST A COSMETIC ISSUE. THE MELTING DASH LEAVES A MASSIVE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING TOWARD ANY SUNLIGHT. I AM BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION EVERY TIME THE SUN IS OUT. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE. I HAVE SEEM HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA ALREADY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLED WITH NISSAN IN JANUARY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED! I DONT KNOW THE EXACT DATE THAT I NOTICED THE ISSUE BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED FOR A WHILE NOW. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS WELL AS THE LAWFIRM ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAWSUIT IN FLORIDA. NOBODY WILL HELP ME AND I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME. JUST GOOGLE MELTING DASH NISSAN ALTIMA...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TIRE PRESSURE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ISSUE; HOWEVER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TIRE PRESSURE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ISSUE; HOWEVER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED AIR. THE TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION, BUT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR PROPER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND IMPAIRING THE VISIBILITY. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE WHAT IS IN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT IS GETTING WORST. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN TO NISSAN AND THE GOVERNMENT, BUT NEITHER THINKS IT W…
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THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND IMPAIRING THE VISIBILITY. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE WHAT IS IN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT IS GETTING WORST. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN TO NISSAN AND THE GOVERNMENT, BUT NEITHER THINKS IT WARRANTS A SAFETY RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS BUT NONE SEEM TO APPLY TO RESIDENCES OF ALABAMA. MY LATE HUSBAND CONTACTED A LAYER IN CALIFORNIA INVOLVED IN ONE OF THE LAWSUITS BUT DID NOT PURSUE BECAUSE HE DID NOT TRUST LAWYERS. I HAVE BEEN BUSY FIGHTING CANCER BUT LOST THE BATTLE, AND MY HUSBAND. I CONTACTED NISSAN TODAY TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO PAY A LOCAL DEALER $100-$200 TO FILE A REPORT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF MY VEHICLE THEY PROBABLY WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. IMPAIRED VISIBILITY IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED! I HAVE ATTACHED SEVERAL PICTURES TO SHOW HOW MUCH THE VISIBLY HAS BEEN IMPAIRED. IN ONE OF THEM THERE IS AN ENTIRE HOUSE THAT IS OBSCURED, I HAVE ALSO INCLUDED A PICTURE OUT THE WINDOW TO SHOW THE HOUSE. I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR THAT RIDE THEIR SCOOTERS IN THE ROAD. IMAGINE IF THAT WAS A CHILD PLAYING IN THE ROAD THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE INSTEAD OF A HOUSE...
Official recalls
410V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
08V521000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:software
Oct 7, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Air Bags
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
08V363000 · Suspension
Jul 31, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT TO SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
07V599000 · Electrical System:ignition:module
Dec 28, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.